CN119152601A - Method for access management for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for access management for a vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle (1) has a wireless communication device (2) for wireless communication with a mobile terminal, wherein a digital vehicle key (4) for the vehicle (1) is stored on a first mobile terminal (3). In the method, vehicle data are acquired, wherein the vehicle data contain at least one parameter for a current state of the vehicle (1) and/or for a current environmental condition. The digital vehicle key (4) stored on the first mobile terminal device (3) is then shared. In the sharing, a copy (4') of the digital vehicle key (4) is transmitted to a second mobile terminal device (5) on which the digital vehicle key (4) is not stored, and vehicle data is transmitted.

Description

Method for access management for vehicles

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for access management for a vehicle. In particular, the service with digital vehicle keys should be improved for a plurality of persons, in particular also for strangers who should be authorized to enter the vehicle.

Background

Digital vehicle keys are an innovative development that is increasingly being used in modern vehicles. Instead of a traditional physical key, a digital vehicle key enables vehicle unlocking and vehicle locking via a wireless connection. The digital vehicle key may use bluetooth, in particular Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), UWB (Ultra-Wide-Band) or NFC (NEAR FIELD Communication), for example. To this end, the respective communication device of the vehicle establishes a wireless connection with a smart phone on which a digital vehicle key is stored.

Digital vehicle keys have the advantage of convenience and functionality. The owner does not have to carry the heavy key around, but can store the digital key on his smartphone. Thereby reducing the risk of losing or theft of the key. In addition, digital vehicle keys can enable additional functions such as remotely controlling the vehicle or sharing the key with other personnel. In summary, digital vehicle keys provide an innovative solution for vehicle access control.

One particular application of digital vehicle keys, particularly CCC certified digital vehicle keys, is so-called Remote keyless entry (Remote KEYLESS ENTRY, RKE) or Remote unlocking systems. RKE allows the vehicle owner to unlock and lock the vehicle remotely without the need to be physically in the vicinity of the vehicle. Remote keyless entry systems are also based on wireless communication technologies such as UWB or bluetooth.

In order to use a digital vehicle key, a user is required to operate the digital vehicle key, for example, on his smart phone. The use of digital vehicle keys by other personnel not holding smart phones containing digital vehicle keys is not possible without problems. For this purpose, it may be provided that the digital vehicle key is shared with friends or acquaintances, for example by means of an application (App) and cloud services, which is transmitted to the smart phone of the friend. In principle, this can also be done with strangers. However, in order to actually enable strangers to gain access to the vehicle, other information related to the vehicle must also be exchanged in a different channel. Thus, the user of the digital vehicle key still must personally hand his vehicle over to, for example, customer service, tire replacement, etc., and must then personally remove it again. This is cumbersome and time consuming and often difficult to integrate into an active professional life.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for access management for a vehicle. In particular, the service with digital vehicle keys should be improved for a plurality of persons, in particular also for strangers who should be authorized to enter the vehicle.

The object is achieved according to the teaching of the independent claims. Various embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a method, in particular a computer-implemented method, for access management for a vehicle, wherein the vehicle has a wireless communication device for wireless communication with a mobile terminal, wherein a digital vehicle key for the vehicle is stored on a first mobile terminal. In the method, vehicle data is acquired, wherein the vehicle data contains at least one parameter relating to a current state of the vehicle and/or relating to a current environmental condition. The digital vehicle key stored on the first mobile terminal device is then shared. In the sharing, a copy of the digital vehicle key is transmitted to a second mobile terminal device that does not store the digital vehicle key and the vehicle data is transmitted.

The above-described method according to the first aspect is therefore based in particular on the fact that not only the digital vehicle key (or a copy thereof) but also the vehicle data are transmitted when sharing the digital vehicle key. A copy of the digital vehicle key is stored in the second mobile terminal device and thereby allows a person holding the second mobile terminal device to access the vehicle. By means of the vehicle data, which may also be transmitted to the second mobile terminal device or to a further (mobile) terminal device, server or the like, authorized persons obtain information about the vehicle, which information may simplify or even make access to the vehicle possible. In particular, when a person who should be allowed to enter the vehicle is a stranger who does not have other information about the vehicle, the vehicle data is useful and helpful for entering the vehicle. Thus, for example, the vehicle owner does not need to meet or negotiate separately with the person who should be allowed to enter the vehicle.

The term "vehicle" as used herein refers in particular to passenger vehicles, including all types of motor vehicles, hybrid vehicles and battery-powered electric vehicles, as well as vehicles such as cars, vans, buses, trucks, vans, and the like.

The term "digital vehicle key" as used herein refers in particular to an electronic medium that can be used to turn on, start a vehicle or control other functions, which are typically implemented with conventional physical vehicle keys. Unlike conventional keys, digital vehicle keys consist of digital information stored in electronic devices. Digital vehicle keys may be implemented in a variety of ways. One possibility is to store the digital key in a mobile application on a smart phone. The smart phone then functions as a digital vehicle key and communicates wirelessly with the vehicle via a wireless connection, in particular an encrypted connection, in order to unlock the doors or start the engine. The wireless connection may be made, for example, by bluetooth, in particular BLE (bluetooth low energy) or UWB. The "copy" of the vehicle digital key does not have to be a consistent copy, but it is to be understood in particular that the "original" of the vehicle digital key remains on the first mobile terminal device during the sharing.

The term "mobile terminal device" as used herein refers in particular to an electronic device that is portable and capable of wireless communication with other devices or networks. Which is a portable device that can often be carried or held in a pocket. Mobile terminals include smart phones, tablet computers, notebook computers, smart watches, and other similar devices. These devices typically use a mobile radio network, WLAN, bluetooth, or UWB to establish wireless connections and to enable data transmission.

The term "UWB" as used herein refers in particular to Ultra-Wideband-technology (UWB, also known as Ultra-Breitband), i.e. a technology for short range radio communication. To this end, the vehicle may be equipped with corresponding communication devices or, in general, "infrastructure" for communication with other UWB-capable devices. Modern vehicles may be equipped with UWB, for example, for Keyless Entry (Keyless-Entry) of the vehicle. The unlocking and locking of the vehicle can be achieved here using UWB. The specification may in particular conform to the CCC standard.

The term "communication device" as used herein particularly refers to a device for wireless communication. In this case, it can be a single unit or a plurality of cooperating units. The communication device may comprise, inter alia, a control device, a transmitter and a receiver and at least one corresponding antenna. In a vehicle, the communication devices may be arranged to be distributed over the vehicle.

The term "CCC" as used herein refers in particular to "internet of vehicles alliance (Car Connectivity Consortium)". The "internet of vehicles alliance" is a global organization of automotive manufacturers, suppliers and technical companies that develops standards for communication systems in vehicles. This includes mainly specifications of how the vehicle should communicate with other devices, such as smartphones and navigation systems. Thus, compliance with the CCC standard means in particular that the technology concerned meets the requirements of CCC.

The terms "comprising," "including," "covering," "having," "with," "containing," or any other variation thereof, as may be used herein, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a method or apparatus comprising or having a series of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such method or apparatus.

Furthermore, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, "or" means an inclusive or and not an exclusive "or". For example, condition A or B is satisfied by one of A being true (or present) and B being false (or absent), A being false (or absent) and B being true (or present), and both A and B being true (or present).

The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as "one or more". The terms "another" and every other variation thereof are to be understood as "at least one additional".

The term "plurality" as used herein should be understood as "two or more".

In the sense of the present invention, the terms "configured" or "arranged" are used to fulfil a particular function (and its corresponding variation) in that the corresponding means already exist in a configuration or arrangement in which the means may perform the function or at least be arranged (or so configurable) such that the means may perform the function after the corresponding arrangement. The configuration can be realized, for example, by correspondingly adjusting parameters of the flow process or switching, etc., for activating or deactivating the functionality or setting. In particular, the device may have a plurality of predetermined configurations or modes of operation, whereby the configuration may be performed by means of selecting one of these configurations or modes of operation.

Preferred embodiments of the method according to the first aspect are described below, which may be combined with each other and with other aspects of the invention described below, respectively, as long as they are not explicitly excluded or technically infeasible.

In some embodiments, the vehicle data includes at least a current location of the vehicle. Access is simplified for persons who should be granted access when the current position of the vehicle is also transmitted with the vehicle key while sharing the vehicle key. Particularly without such information, strangers cannot know where the vehicle is located. In addition, the vehicle data may also include, for example, the manufacturer and model of the vehicle, which further simplifies the vehicle's discoverability. In addition, other data, such as tank fill level or state of charge, etc., may also be useful when the recipient of the digital vehicle key enters the vehicle.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises obtaining authorization data defining an authorization for use of a copy of the digital vehicle key on the second mobile terminal device, wherein sharing the digital vehicle key comprises transmitting the authorization data. In particular, it may be advantageous when sharing a digital vehicle key with strangers to specify in an authorization profile (or authorization data) which authorizations should be obtained by copies of the digital vehicle key. In particular, the authorization may be restricted with respect to the original copy of the digital vehicle key.

In particular, the authorization data may comprise a temporal and/or spatial limitation of the use of the copy of the digital vehicle key on the second mobile terminal device. For example, authorization may be given only for a limited period of time, such as hours or days from the time of sharing. A limit on a particular range of the current location of the vehicle around the time of sharing may also be determined. Authorization data includes restrictions on the manner of use of the copy of the digital vehicle key on the second mobile terminal device. For example, use may be limited to unlocking and locking the vehicle with or without starting the engine, while other functions of the vehicle may be disabled.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises, in particular prior to sharing the digital vehicle key, obtaining mission data defining a mission to be performed with respect to the vehicle, sharing the digital vehicle key comprising transmitting the mission data. In this way, a person who should be admitted to the vehicle can be assigned a task of what to do with the vehicle. This may be a service task, such as customer service or tire replacement, or other tasks, such as moving the vehicle from a current location to a desired location, a pick-up service, an express service, etc. Thus, the task does not have to be distributed separately at other locations, but can be directly distributed with the shared vehicle key.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises using data regarding a copy of the digital vehicle key used on the second mobile terminal device and transmitting the using data to the first mobile terminal device. In this way, a person who has shared the vehicle key can monitor the use, for example, whether the vehicle has been unlocked, whether the engine has been started, whether the vehicle has been locked again while it is parked, etc. Since sharing a digital vehicle key and giving the own vehicle to strangers may present a security risk, it may be advantageous to obtain a possibility to monitor the use so that in case of abuse measures may be taken if necessary.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises obtaining status data of the vehicle and transmitting the status data to the first mobile terminal device, the status data comprising a status of the vehicle during use of the vehicle by means of the copy of the digital vehicle key on the second terminal device. In this way, a person who has shared the vehicle key (i.e., for example, the vehicle owner) may obtain information about the current state of his vehicle. This may be, for example, the current location of the vehicle. The status data may also include task status in the status assigned by the task data. In this way the owner can query the status of his task at any time, e.g. if the task has started, is in process or finally if the task has been completed. The owner can then retrieve his vehicle at the contracted site, which he can also obtain from the status data if necessary. It may also be provided that the owner of the vehicle can coordinate the return of his vehicle, in particular as a response to status data (for example when a task is completed). For example, the desired return location and time may be communicated to a person who has been admitted to the vehicle.

All the processes and data transmission described above, from sharing the digital vehicle key (including obtaining all necessary data) to the return of the vehicle, can be performed at one location by the first mobile terminal device, for example in a smart phone application or "Wallet". In this way, convenient and safe access management for the vehicle can be achieved.

A second aspect of the invention relates to a system for data processing, in particular for access management for a vehicle, comprising at least one processor configured for performing the method according to the first aspect.

A third aspect of the invention relates to a computer program having instructions which, when executed on a system according to the second aspect, cause the system to perform the method according to the first aspect.

The computer program may in particular be stored on a non-volatile data carrier. Preferably, this is a data carrier in the form of an optical data carrier or in the form of a flash memory module. It may be advantageous that such a computer program should be processed independently of the processor platform on which the one or more programs are to be executed. In another embodiment, the computer program may be present as a file on a data processing unit, in particular on a server, and may be downloaded via a data connection, e.g. the internet or a dedicated data connection, such as a private network or a local area network. Furthermore, a computer program may be provided with a plurality of cooperating individual program modules.

The system according to the second aspect may accordingly have a program memory in which the computer program is stored. Alternatively, the system may also be configured to access an external computer program, for example a computer program available on one or more servers or other data processing units, via a communication connection, in particular for exchanging data therewith, said data being used during the flow of the method or computer program or being the output of the computer program.

The features and advantages set out in relation to the first aspect of the invention apply correspondingly as well to the other aspects of the invention.

Drawings

Other advantages, features and application possibilities of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the figure:

FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a vehicle and a process for sharing a digital vehicle key, and

Fig. 3 shows a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal device with a display for access management for a vehicle.

Detailed Description

In the drawings, like reference numerals are used throughout to designate like or corresponding elements of the present invention.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a method 100 for access management for a vehicle. The method 100 is also described with reference to fig. 2 and 3. Exemplary steps of one embodiment of a method 100 are shown in fig. 1 for illustration. It goes without saying that other steps may be included, in particular the acquisition and transmission of data (if necessary in both directions).

Fig. 2 schematically shows a vehicle 1 with a communication device 2. Which may be the Bluetooth (BLE) or UWB infrastructure of the vehicle 1. In order to control the respective vehicle function, for example unlocking, locking the vehicle 1 or starting the engine, a wireless connection is established with a mobile terminal device, for example a smart phone, on which a digital vehicle key of the vehicle is stored. In the example shown in fig. 2, the digital vehicle key 4 is stored on a first mobile terminal device 3, for example a smart phone of the vehicle owner. The following will describe how the digital vehicle key 4 can be shared with other persons, in particular also with strangers, such as customer service personnel. The other person, i.e. the recipient of the digital vehicle key, has a second mobile terminal device 5, for example also a smart phone, on which (not yet) the digital vehicle key is stored.

First, vehicle data is acquired (step S1). This includes in particular the current position of the vehicle 1. The location of the vehicle 1 assists the recipient of the digital vehicle key in receiving and using the vehicle 1. In addition, authorization data may also be acquired in step S1, which may define an authorization profile in which authorization of the recipient of the digital vehicle key is specified. In particular, the authorization may be limited, for example by specifying a time frame. Task data defining tasks to be performed with the vehicle 1, such as customer service or tire replacement, may also be obtained. These data may form a data set 6, as shown in fig. 2.

The digital vehicle key 4 is now shared. For this purpose, a digital vehicle key or its copy 4' is transmitted together with the acquired data 6. The copy 4 'of the vehicle digital key 4 is then stored on the recipient's mobile terminal device 5. The vehicle 1 can now be used by the owner of the mobile terminal device 5, in particular within the negotiated scope limited by the authorization if necessary (step S3). Usage data and/or status data may be obtained during use. The status data may reflect, for example, task status of the assigned task.

It should be understood that the transmission generally does not take place directly from the first mobile terminal device 3 to the second mobile terminal device 5, but for example via a corresponding server, backend, cloud service, etc., which will not be discussed in detail here.

The status data (and, if necessary, the usage data) can be transmitted to the mobile terminal device 3 of the vehicle owner (step S4), represented by the data set 7 in fig. 2. The vehicle owner can view the status of his vehicle on his mobile terminal device 3, for example in the application of his terminal device 3 or in the wallet 8. In addition, the return of the vehicle 1 may also be coordinated. The sharing of the digital vehicle key may end over time or may be actively ended by the vehicle owner.

While at least one exemplary embodiment has been described above, it should be noted that numerous variations exist for this. It is also noted herein that the described exemplary embodiments are only non-limiting examples, and are not intended to thereby limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the apparatus and methods described herein. Rather, the foregoing description will provide those skilled in the art with a guide for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, and it is understood that various changes may be made in the manner and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the technical solutions and their legal equivalents as defined in the appended claims.

List of reference numerals

100 Method for using digital vehicle keys

1 Vehicle

2 Communication device

3 First mobile terminal device

4 Digit vehicle key

Copy of 4' digital vehicle key

5 Second mobile terminal device

6 Data set

7 Data set

8 Prompt/message

Claims (10)

1. A method (100) for access management for a vehicle (1), wherein the vehicle (1) has a wireless communication device (2) for wireless communication with a mobile terminal device, wherein a digital vehicle key (4) for the vehicle (1) is stored on a first mobile terminal device (3), wherein the method comprises:

-acquiring vehicle data comprising at least one parameter concerning the current state of the vehicle (1) and/or concerning the current environmental conditions, and

-Sharing a digital vehicle key (4) stored on a first mobile terminal device (3), the sharing comprising:

-transmitting a copy (4') of the digital vehicle key (4) to a second mobile terminal device (5) on which said digital vehicle key (4) is not stored, and

-Transmitting vehicle data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle data comprises at least a current position of the vehicle (1).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises obtaining authorization data defining an authorization for use of the copy (4') of the digital vehicle key (4) on the second mobile terminal device (5), wherein sharing the digital vehicle key (4) comprises transmitting the authorization data.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the authorisation data comprises a temporal and/or spatial limitation of the use of the copy (4') of the digital vehicle key (4) on the second mobile terminal device (5).

5. A method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the authorisation data comprises restrictions on the way in which the copy (4') of the digital vehicle key (4) is used on the second mobile terminal device (5).

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises obtaining task data defining a task to be implemented in relation to a vehicle, sharing the digital vehicle key (4) comprising transmitting the task data.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises obtaining usage data about a copy (4') of the digital vehicle key (4) used on a second mobile terminal device (5) and transmitting the usage data to a first mobile terminal device (3).

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises obtaining status data of the vehicle (1) and transmitting the status data to the first mobile terminal device (3), the status data comprising the status of the vehicle (1) during use of the vehicle (1) by means of the copy (4') of the digital vehicle key (4) on the second terminal device (5).

9. A system for data processing, the system comprising at least one processor configured to cause the processor to perform the method of any one of the preceding claims.

10. A computer program having instructions which, when executed on a system according to claim 9, cause the system to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.